IMAGE  EVALUATION 
TEST  TARGET  (MT-3) 


// 


4^ 


1.0 


1.1 


■tig2£    125 

mm  ^ 

^   lio    12.0 


111^  IIIIM  ll>-6 

lllll^is  lilies  Wmm 

^ 

6"    

► 

I^tographic 

Sciences 

Corporalion 


as  WIST  MAIN  STRUT 

WIMTIR,N.Y.  MSM 

(716)I73-4S03 


CIHM/ICMH 

Microfiche 

Series. 


CiHIVI/ICiVIH 
Coilection  de 
microficlies. 


Omdlaii  liwtituw  for  HMorlcal  Mlcroraproduetlons  /  Innltut  camdian  da  microraproductlona  hiatorlquaa 


Technical  and  Bibliographic  Notas/Notaa  techniquas  at  blbliographiquaa 


Tha  Inatituta  haa  attamptad  to  obtain  tha  baat 
original  copy  availabia  for  filming.  Faaturaa  of  thia 
copy  which  may  b«  bibliographically  uniqua, 
which  may  altar  any  of  tha  imagaa  in  tha 
raproduction,  or  which  may  aignificantiy  changa 
tha  uauai  mathod  of  filming,  ara  chackad  balow. 


D 


a 


D 


Coiourad  covara/ 
Couvartura  da  coulaur 


I     I   Covara  damagad/ 


Couvartura  andommagte 

Covara  raatorad  and/or  laminatad/ 
Couvartura  raataurte  at/ou  pallicuMa 

Covar  titia  miaaing/ 

La  titra  da  couvartura  manqua 

Coiourad  mapa/ 

Cartaa  gtographiquaa  an  coulaur 

Coiourad  inic  (i.a.  othar  than  blua  or  biacic)/ 
Encra  da  coulaur  (i.a.  autra  qua  biaua  ou  noira) 


I     I   Coiourad  plataa  and/or  illuatrationa/ 


D 


Planchaf  at/ou  illuatrationa  an  coulaur 


Bound  with  othar  matarial/ 
RalM  avac  d'autraa  documanta 


Tight  binding  may  cauaa  ahadowa  or  diatortion 
along  intarior  margin/ 

La  re  liura  aerrte  peut  cauaar  da  I'ombre  ou  de  la 
diatortion  la  long  de  la  marge  intArieure 

Blank  leavea  added  during  reatoration  may 
appear  within  the  text.  Whenever  poaaibia,  theae 
have  been  omitted  from  filming/ 
II  ae  peut  que  certainea  pagea  blanchaa  ajout^ea 
lora  d'une  reatauration  apparaiaaant  dana  la  taxte, 
maia.  ioraqua  cela  Atait  poaaibia,  cea  pagea  n'ont 
pea  4t4  filmtea. 

Additional  commenta:/ 
Commentairea  aupplAmentairea: 


L'Inatitut  a  microfilm^  la  mailleur  exemplaira 
qu'il  lui  a  AtA  poaaibia  da  ae  procurer.  Lea  dAtaiia 
de  cet  exemplaira  qui  aont  paut-Atre  uniquea  du 
point  de  vue  bibliographiqua,  qui  peuvent  modifier 
une  image  reproduite,  ou  qui  peuvent  exiger  une 
modification  dana  la  mithoda  normale  de  filmaga 
aont  indiqute  ci-deaaoua. 


D 
D 

n 


D 
0 
D 
D 
D 
D 


Coiourad  pagea/ 
Pagea  da  coulaur 

Pagea  damaged/ 
Pagea  endommagtea 

Pagea  raatorad  and/or  laminated/ 
Pagea  reataurtea  at/ou  palliculAea 

Pagea  diacoioured,  atainad  or  foxed/ 
Pagea  dAcoior^aa,  tachatAea  ou  piquAae 

Pagea  detached/ 
Pagea  dAtachtea 

Showthrough/ 
Tranaparance 

Quality  of  print  variea/ 
QualitA  InAgala  de  I'lmpreaaion 

Includae  aupplamentary  material/ 
Comprend  du  material  auppMmantaira 

Only  edition  available/ 
Seule  Mition  diaponibia 

Pagea  wholly  or  partially  obacurad  by  errata 
alipa,  tiaauea,  etc.,  have  been  refilmed  to 
enaure  the  beat  poaaibia  image/ 
Lea  pagea  totalement  ou  partiellement 
obacurciea  par  un  feuillet  d'errata,  una  palure, 
etc.,  ont  At*  filmAea  A  nouveau  da  fa^on  it 
obtanir  la  meilleure  image  poaaibia. 


Thia  item  ia  filmed  at  the  reduction  ratio  checked  below/ 

Ce  document  eat  film*  au  taux  de  reduction  indiqui  ci-deaaoua. 

10X  14X  18X  22X 


2SX 


30X 


12X 


16X 


20X 


a4x 


28X 


32X 


The  copy  filmed  here  hee  been  reproduced  thenke 
to  the  generoeity  of: 

Netionel  Librery  of  Cenade 


L'exemplaire  film*  fut  reproduit  grAce  A  la 
gAnArosltA  de: 

BibliothAque  nationale  du  Canada 


The  images  appearing  here  are  the  best  quality 
possible  considering  the  condition  and  legibility 
of  the  original  copy  and  in  iceeping  with  the 
filming  contract  specifications. 


Les  Images  suivantee  ont  AtA  reproduites  avec  le 
plus  grand  soln,  compte  tenu  de  ia  condition  at 
de  la  nettet*  de  l'exemplaire  film*,  et  en 
conformity  avec  les  conditions  du  contrat  de 
fllmage. 


Original  copies  In  printed  paper  covers  are  filmed 
beginning  with  the  front  cover  and  ending  on 
the  last  page  with  a  printed  or  illustrated  impres- 
sion, or  the  bacic  cover  when  appropriate.  All 
other  original  copies  are  filmed  beginning  on  the 
first  page  with  a  printed  or  Illustrated  impres- 
sion, and  ending  on  the  last  page  with  a  printed 
or  Illustrated  impression. 


Les  exemplaires  orlginaux  dont  ia  couverture  en 
papier  est  imprlmto  sont  fllmte  en  commen^ant 
par  le  premier  plat  et  en  terminant  solt  par  ia 
dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  emprelnte 
d'Impression  ou  d'illustratlon,  soit  par  le  second 
plat,  salon  le  cas.  Tous  les  autres  exemplaires 
orlginaux  sont  filmte  en  commen^ant  par  la 
premlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  emprelnte 
d'Impression  ou  d'iilustratlon  et  en  terminant  par 
la  dernlAre  page  qui  comporte  une  telle 
emprelnte. 


The  last  recorded  frame  on  each  microfiche 
shall  contain  the  symbol  — »•  (meaning  "CON- 
TINUED"), or  the  symbol  V  (meaning  "END"), 
whichever  applies. 


Un  des  symboies  sulvants  apparaftra  sur  la 
dernlAre  image  de  cheque  microfiche,  seion  le 
cas:  le  symbols  — ►  signlfle  "A  SUIVRE",  le 
symbols  ▼  signlfle  "FIN". 


Maps,  plates,  charts,  etc.,  may  be  filmed  at 
different  reduction  ratios.  Those  too  large  to  be 
entirely  Included  In  one  exposure  are  filmed 
beginning  in  the  upper  left  hend  corner,  left  to 
right  and  top  to  bottom,  as  many  frames  as 
required.  The  following  diagrams  Illustrate  the 
method: 


Les  cartes,  planches,  tableaux,  etc.,  peuvent  Atre 
fllmAs  A  des  taux  de  rAductlon  diff Arents. 
Lorsque  le  document  est  trop  grand  pour  Atre 
reproduit  en  un  seul  cllchA,  II  est  filmA  A  partir 
de  I'angie  supArleur  gauche,  de  gauche  A  droite, 
et  de  heut  en  bas,  en  prenant  le  nombre 
d'images  nAcessaire.  Les  diagrammes  suivants 
illustrent  la  mAthode. 


1  2  3 


1 

2 

3 

4 

5 

6 

SPEECH 


or 


HON.  AMOS  TUCK,  OP  NEW  HAMPSHIRE, 


ON  THE 


NEW  ENGLAND  FISHERIES, 


RECIFSOCAL 


TRADE  WITH  THE  BRITISH  NORTH  AMERICAN  PROVINCES, 


AND  THE 


FREE  NAVIGATION  OF  THE  ST.  LAWRENCE, 


DEUTERED 


IN  THE  HOUSE  OF  REPRESENTATIVES, 


AUGUST  27.  1852. 


WASHINGTON: 

I>RINTED    BY    LEMUEL    TOWERS. 
1852. 


^ 


>i4i. 


, . ,- ! 


Ki    V--^       p     ,5 


-,').<   (.■  r'Vj ; 


;■■;■■ 'ft'.," 


*  1    .  .fe,  -,  'J 


*^  ^  -Il^t.^ 


"s;?-"ii 


il:J    -ti..);   . 


!U.ju'l 


Va 


SPEECH. 


•  M  ti 


..'•!  i-i  >'■  ;'''  ::•)  [r\ 


' '  Vi ' ; ' 

.aio'fTrr;  I^ 

^    T 

..,j.,,,  •,.::>».  .'■^ 

■  ',    > 

,•'  1.      .       -  /•-( J  .1     • 

f  vt:\ 

•..vi':7/ 

'.  SV 


»  ,         '  ''Y  ^  "         •      ■  i  ■     M     A  ^  \  -v  "I  1 


Mr.  Ghaibman:  I  propose  to  discusR  the  topics  of  the  fisher- 
ies, and  of  reciprocal  free  trade  with  the  British  Provinces  in 
North  America.  Were  it  my  purpose  to  engage  in  the  con- 
troversies wrhich  parties  are  now  waging  against  each  other, 
I  should  have  many  misgivings  as  to  the  propriety  of  occupy- 
ing any  portion  of  the  brief  period  of  the  session  now  remain- 
ing. The  time  for  action  on  the  matters  of  interest  before 
Congress  is  short,  and  none  but  important  subjects  should  in- 
tervene, even  for  the  space  of  an  hour.  But  I  feel  that  the 
magnitude  of  the  topics  of  my  remarks,  considered  in  connec- 
tion with  the  fact  that  not  a  single  hour  has  been  devoted  to 
the  latter  branch  ol  my  subject,  during  this  session,  is  suffi- 
cient an  apology  for  occupying  the  time  necessary  to  present 
the  matter  to  the  consideration  of  this  House  and  the  public. 
The  United  States  have,  in  my  belief^  the  opportunity,  by 
early  and  judicious  action,  by  legislation,  or  by  treaty,  of  se- 
curing such  an  extension  of  our  fisheries,  and  such  a  monopoly 
of  trade  and  intercourse  with  the  British  Provinces  at  the  north 
of  us,  as  will  secure,  without  any  of  the  evils  of  annexation, 
all  the  benefits  which  we  could  realize  from  the  closest  union. 
These  benefits  may,  and  are  likely  to  be  lost,  by  neglect  and 
delay  in  availing  ourselves  of  the  benefits  that  circumstances 

V  have  induced  the  Provinces  and  Great  Britain  to  ofier  to  us. 

■  The  way  is  open,  not  only  to  esca^pQ  from  any  perplexities 
that  may  have  arisen  in  respect  to  the  fisheries,  but  to  enlarge 
our  privileges  in  that  regard,  to  an  extent  of  great  and  lasting 
importance.  Besides  this,  we  can  obtain  the  free  navigation 
of  the  St.  Lawrence,  the  natural  outlet  of  a  vast  extent  of  our 
country,  and  probably  the  free  use  of  the  St.  John's  and  other 
important  streams  of  the  Provinces.  This  opportunity  of  ac- 
quiring all  the  benefits,  without  any  of  the  evils  of  annexation, 

.and  in  a  manner  which,  if  examined,  can  furnish  no  ground 
of  jealousy  or  complaint  in  any  part  of  the  country,  is  an  oc- 
cnrrence  second  in  magnitude  to  but  few  measures  that  ever 
have  been  considered  by  Congress.  A  coincidence  of  events  have 


I 

1 


led  to  propositions  for  commerce,  and  consequent  emolument 
therefrom,  which  a  few  years  ago  we  could  not  have  obtained 
at  any  price.  Let  me  briefly  allude  to  the  events  which  have 
brought  about  this  result. 

Within  a  few  years  a  great  change  has  taken  place  in  the 
colonial  policy  of  Great  Britain.    Formerly  the  colonies  were 
compelled,  by  heavy  differential  duties,  to  purchase  their  sup- 
plies exclusively  of  the  mother  country.    The  manufactures 
of  Great  Britain  were  admitted  into  the  Proviiices  with  a 
lower  tariff  than  was  imposed  upon  the  same  articles  from 
other  countries;  while  the  exports  of  the  Provinces  were  ad- 
mitted into  the  ports  of  Great  Britain  with  corresponding  ad- 
Vantages  over  all  competitors.    The  consequence  was,  that 
with  all  our  advantages  of  proximity,  v^e  had  almost  no  busi- 
ness or  other  intercourse  with  our  neighbors  in  the  Provinces. 
But  Great  Britain  found  it  expedient  to  change  her  commer- 
cial policy  at  home ;  to  admit  breadstuffs  and  lumber,  the  most 
important  products  of  the  colonies,  into  ^[11  of  her  markets  free 
of  duty,  in  order  to  secure  customers  from  the  Baltic  and  the 
Black  sea,  whom  6he  most  needed.    The  Provinc^es,  ho  longer 
having  advantages  over  others  in  the  matter  of  their  chief  ex- 
ports to  the  British  markets,  would  have  been  too  ihtolerabiy 
burdened  if  they  had  been  compelled  to  maintain  di'fferential 
duties  at  home  in  favor  of  the  mother  country.    In  1846,  the 
Canadian  Legiislature  having  been  authorized  by  the  Imperial 
Parliament  to  regulate  their  own  tariff,  and  being  anxious  to 
cultivate  a  free  intercourse  with  the  United  States,  abolished 
difieretitial  duties  And  admitted  American  manufactures  and 
foreign  goods  purcllased  in  the  American  markets,  on  the 
Same  ternis  as  thoije  frtym  Great  Britain.    The  duty  on  British 
goods  was  raised,  a^d  that  on  American  was  diminished,  so 
that  they  Were  made  eqdal.   There  is  no  doubt  that  interest  dic- 
tated this  itapoHktkt  enActrtieilt.    Yet  it  was  a  measure,  if 
beneficial  to  the  people  of  CAriada, 'e^tially  beneficial  to  those 
of  tlte  United  States;  and  being  ^  spontaneous  offering  on 
their  patt,  of  what  %Vas  certain  to  secure  to  us  an  extensive 
and  lucrative  trade,  they  bad  a  right  to  ex^et  that  this  gene- 
lr6sity  should,  at  least,  attract  our  atteiiti6n.    Yet  it  failed  to 
do  fett.    When,  in  1840,  Gen.  Dix,  of  New  York,  stated  in  the 
Senate  the  fact  of  die  abolitrota  of  differential  duties,  he  was 
a&lied  upon  to  giVe  his  authority.    PriVke  interest,  however, 


ilumenfi 
btained 
;h  have 

e  in  the 

es  were 

leir  sup- 

factures 
with  a 

les  from 

vere  ad- 
ding ad- 

vas,  that 
no  busi- 

rovinces. 

commer- 
the  most 

rkets  free 

c  and  the 

ho  longer 
chief  ex- 

itolerabty 
ffcrential 
1846,  the 

)  Imperial 

.nxions  to 
abolished 
tures  and 
ts,  on  the 
on  British 
inished,  so 
iterest  dic- 
leasare,  if 
al  to  those 
iffering  on 
extensive 
this  gene- 
it  failed  to 
ited  in  the 
es,  he  was 
t,  howcvdr, 


h  ad  already  availed  itself  of  the  benefits  of  the  measure,  and 
an  extensive  trade,  notwithstanding  our  heavy  tariff  on  Cana- 
dian products,  had. grown  up  with  the  States.  The  amount 
of  duties  on  goods  from  the  United  States,  increased  many 
fold  in  three  or  four  years,  and  the  duties  on  goods  from  Great 
Britain  experienced  a  corresponding  decrease.  The  port  of 
Toronto  will  serve  as  index  of  the  increase  of  trade  secured 
to  us,  where  the  amount  of  duties  paid  on  imports  rose  within 
the  short  period  mentioned,  from  $30,000  to  about  $400,000, 
per  annum.  .i-if*  nl  m>*.S\   ,m!  hr.^:  .'.' 

'.  But  if  the  .people  of  Canada  buy  our  productions,  they 
must  pay  for  them  with  what  they  have  to  sell.  They 
cannot  get  money  by  selling  their  products  abroad,  and  bring 
it  here  to  buy  what  we  have  to  sell.  That  would  impoverish 
them  and  be  an  unnatural  course  of  business  which  could  not 
continue.  Yet  when  the  Canadian  proposes  to  pay  for  his 
purchases  of  us,  by  bringing  what  he  has  to  sell,  he  is  met  by 
a  heavy  duty,  which  repels  him  from  us  as  inevitably  as  dif- 
ferential duties  formerly  debarred  us  from  Canada.  Under 
this  state  of  things,  the  Canadian  Government  made  applica- 
tion to  Congress,  five  years  ago,  for  exemption  from  this  bar 
to  trade,  by  establishing  reciprocal  free  trade  in  national  pro- 
ducts with  tbo  United  States,  having  first  passed  a  law  on 
its  part,  abolishing  similar  duties  against  us,  to  take  effect 
when  the  United  States  should  have  passed  a  corresponding 
statute  admitting  certain  articles  specified,  without  duty. 
This  proposition  was  submitted  to  Congress  in  the  last  part  of 
the  Administration  of  Mr.  Polk^  -rd  received  his  favorable  con- 
sideration, also,  that  of  Mr.  Buchi  nan.  Secretary  of  State,  and 
Mr.  Walker,  Secretary  of  the  Treasury.  The  following  bill 
was  reported  from  the  Committee  of  Commerce,  by  Hon. 
Joseph  Grinnell,  the  chairman,  and  subsequently  received  the 
sanction  of  the  House,  and  passed  without  opposition :    jiu/r/' 

Be  it  enacted  by  the  Senate  and  House  of  Representativee  of  the  United  Statei 
of  America  in  Congress  aaiembkd.  That  when  tife  President  of  the  United  States 
shall  issue  his  proclamation  that  the  articles  hereinafter  enumerated,  being  of  the 
growth  or  production  of  the  United  States,  are  adniitted  into  the  province  of  Can- 
ada by  law  free  of  duty,  that  on  and  after  that  day,  the  like  articles,  being  the  growth 
or  production  of  said  province  of  Canada,  shall  be  admitted  into  the  United  States 
free  of  duty,  when  imported  direict  from  said  province,  so  long  as  the  said  enume- 
rated articles  are  admitted  into  said  province  of  Canada  from  the  United  States  free 
of  duty,  unless  otherwise  directed  by  Congress,  to  wit:  Grain  and  breadstuQs  of  all 


kinds,  vegelablM,  fruitf,  raimal*,  hidM,  wool,  Ullow,  bornt,  •tited  rad  fretb  mealar 
orcf  of  «11  kinds  of  metaif,  timbers,  staves,  wood  and  lumber  of  ill  kinds. 

-  This  bill  went  to  the  Senate,  where  Gen.  Dix  made  an  able 
8|>eech  in  its  favor;  but  it  failed  to  become  a  law  for  want  of 
time.  Since  1848,  our  domestic  difficulties  have  absorbed 
attention,  so  that  no  action  has  been  had  by  this  House,  though 
the  Committee  of  Commerce  of  the  last  House,  through  their 
chairman,  Hon.  R.  M.  McLane,  on  the  16th  of  May,  1850,  in^ 
troduced  a  bill  in  the  identical  language  of  that  which  had 
passed  the  House  in  1848. 

In  the  meantime  the  progress  of  events  in  the  Provinces 
has  presented  the  subject  of  reciprocity  to  us  in  a  new  form, 
and  as  a  much  more  important  matter.  The  proposition  made 
to  us  in  1848,  and  which  passed  this  House,  related  only  to 
the  Province  of  Canada.  But  differential  duties  having  been 
abolished  in  all  the  provinces,  and  everything  tending  to  show, 
not  only  the  mutual  advantage,  but  the  necessity  on  the  part 
of  the  Provinces,  of  enlarged  intercourse  with  the  United 
States,  we  have  now  the  general  proposition  of  establish- 
ing an  extensive  commerce  with  all  the  British  possessions  at 
the  North,  and  of  opening  to  the  enterprise  of  our  fishermen, 
invaluable  privileges,  and  putting  an  end  to  the  annoyances 
and  disputes  heretofore  existing  in  regard  to  our  rights. 

The  people  of  the  Provinces  are  exceedingly  impatient  of 
what  they  believe  to  be  our  injurious  restrictions  upon  their 
productions,  by  which,  failing,  as  they  say,  to  respond  to  their 
liberal  legislation  in  odr  behalf,  we  are  driving  their  trade 
into  foreign  channels,  as  much  to  the  detriment  of  ourselves 
as  to  them.  No  man  who  has  given  the  subject  his  attention 
can  fail  to  see  the  mutual  advantages  which  must  result  from 
adopting  some  liberal  arrangements  to  secure  the  trade  of  the 
Provinces.  It  is  known  that  Mr.  Clay  and  Mr.  Webster  have 
favored  some  arrangements  not  materially  unlike  that  propo- 
sed, while  the  people  of  the  Provinces  are  annoyed  at  the 
neglect  which  their  liberal  propositions  for  their  own  and  our 
benefit,  have  experienced  in  Congress. 

The  British  Government  at  home,  taking  the  same  view  of 
the  question,  with  a  large  portion  of  the  colonists,  and  proba- 
bly judging  that  reciprocal  trade  with  us  will  put  off,  to  an 
indefinite  future,  all  difficulties  that  may  ever  arise  about  an- 
nexation, have,  through  the  British  Minister,  taken  active 


steps  La  promote  the  wishes  of  the  friends  of  reciprocity. 
Things  are  now  approaching  a  crisis,  inasmuch  as  the  peoplo 
of  the  Provinces  having  become  convinced  that  they  can  obtain 
no  satisfactory  response  from  the  Government  of  the  United 
States,  are  seriously  meditating  a  return  to  differential  dutiei 
in  favor  of  England,     '  •  " 

With  these  remarks  I  will  cause  to  be  read  the  following 
letter  from  the  British  Minister  to  our  Secretary  of  State, 
which,  although,  only  one  of  several  communications  on  the 
subject,  will  convey  authentic  information  as  to  the  nature  of 
the  propositions  made,  and  the  hazards  represented  to  be  at- 
tendant upon  delay. 

*'BRiTira  LioATiov,  June  24,  1851. 

fim:  I  have  already  exprenwd  to  you  at  different  periods,  and  especially  in  my 
note  of  22d  March  last,  the  disappointment  which  waa  experienced  in  Canada^ 
when  at  the  close  of  last  session  of  Congress  it  waa  known  that  no  progress  what- 
ever had  been  made  in  the  bill  which  had  been  brought  forward  for  three  years  bu(^ 
cesaively  for  reciprocating  to  the  measure  which  passed  the  Canadian  Legislature  ill 
1847,  and  which  granted  to  the  natural  produce  of  this  country  an  entry  free  of 
duty,  into  Canada  whensoever  the  Federal  Legislature  of  the  United  States  should 
pass  a  measure  similarly  admitting  into  the  United  States  the  natural  produce  of 
the  Canadas.  This  disappointment  was  the  greater,  inasmuch  as  the  Canadiaa 
Government  has  always  adopted  the  most  liberal  commercial  policy  with  respect  ta 
the  United  States,  as  well  in  regard  to  the  transit  through  its  canals,  as  in  regard 
to  the  admission  of  manufactured  goods  coming  from  this  countiy. 

I  have  now  the  honor  to  enclose  to  you  the  copy  of  an  official  communication  from 
which  you  will  perceive,  that  unless  I  can  hold  out  some  hopes  that  a  policy  will 
be  adopted  in  the  United  States  similar  to  that  which  has  been  adopted  in  Canada, 
and  which  the  Canadian  authorities  would  be  willing,  if  met  in  a  correspondftic 
spirit,  to  carry  out  still  farther,  the  Canadian  Government  and  legislatures  are  likelj 
forthwith  to  take  certain  measures,  which,  both  in  themselves  and  their  eonsa- 
quences,  will  eflect  a  considerable  change  in  the  commercial  intercourse  betweaa 
the  Canadas  and  the  United  States. 

I  should  see  with  great  regret  the  adoption  of  such  measures,  and  I  am  induced 
to  hope,  from  the  conversations  I  have  recently  had  with  you,  that  they  will  be  un- 
necessary. 

The  wish  of  her  Majesty's  government  indeed  would  be  rather  to  improve  thaa 
impair  all  relations  of  friendship  and  good  neighborhood  between  her  Majesty'* 
American  possessions  and  the  United  States ;  and  I  feel  myself  authorized  to  repeat 
to  you  now,  what  I  have  at  different  times  already  stated  to  Mr.  Clayton  and  your- 
self, viz:  that  her  Majesty's  Government  could  see  with  pleasure  any  arrangement^ 
either  by  treaty  or  by  legislation,  establishing  a  free  interchange  of  all  natural  pro* 
ductions  not  only  between  Canada  and  the  United  States,  but  between  the  United 
States  and  all  her  Majesty's  North  American  provinces;  and  furthermore,  I  am 
willing  to  say  that  in  the  event  of  such  an  arrangement,  her  Majesty's  Government 
would  be  ready  to  open  to  American  shipping,  the  waters  of  the  river  St.  Law- 
aencc^  with  the  canab  adjoining,  according  to  the  terms  of  a  letter  which  I  addreai- 


Hf 


ed  to  Mr.  CUyion,  on  S7lb  Marcb*  1860,  for  the  information  of  the  Committee  on 
Commerco  in  tlio  Houie  of  KcpreMntetiveH,  and  to  whicti  I  talio  the  lil)erly  of  re« 
fering  you,  whilit  I  may  add  that  her  Majeity'a  Government  would  in  thia  caae  be 
likewiao  willing  to  open  to  American  flihermen,  the  flaherira  along  the  coaat  of 
Nova  Scotia  and  New  Bruniwick,  according  to  the  conuttiona  apecified  in  the  en- 
olowd  extract  from  biitructiona  with  which  I  am  furniahed. 

The  willingneaa  to  grant  to  American  citizens  on  auch  reasonaliio  oonditiona  two 
important  privili'ges  ao  long  enjoyed  excluaively  by  the  subjects  of  Great  Britain, 
will  teatify  clearly  to  the  apirit  by  which  the  Britiah  Government  ia  on  tbia  occaaion 
animated!  and  as  aiTaira  have  now  arrived  at  that  criaia  in  which  a  frank  explana- 
tion of  the  viewa  of  either  party  ia  necessary  for  the  interests  and  right  understand- 
ing  of  both,  I  take  the  liberty  of  begging  you  to  inform  me  whether  you  are  die- 
poaad,  on  the  part  of  the  United  States,  to  enter  into  such  a  convention  as  will 
place  the  commercial  relatione  between  the  United  Statea  and  her  Miyesty's  North 
American  colonies  on  the  footing  which  (  have  here  proposed;  or  whether,  in  the 
event  of  there  appearing  to  you  any  objection  to  proceed  by  convention  in  thia 
nwtter,  you  can  aasure  me  that  the  United  Statea  Government  will  take  the  earliest 
opportunity  of  urgently  Recommending  Congreaa  to  carry  out  the  object  aforesaid 
by  the  meana  of  legislation. 

I  avail  myself  of  thia  opportunity  to  renew  to  you  the  assurance  of  my  highest 
consideration. 

v.*  .is 

Hon.  Damiil  WxatTXR,  &c.,  &c.,  &c.  H.  L.  BULWER. 

It  is  not  necessary  to  read  Lord  Elgin's  despatch,  referred  to 
in  this  letter,  nor  the  "  extract"  in  regard  to  the  fisheries.  I 
have  not  the  letter  of  Mr.  Webster  in  reply,  but  it  is  under- 
stood that  he  is  favorably  disposed  to  a  commercial  arrange^ 
ment,  by  the  treaty  making  power,  or  by  Congress,  for  ac- 
oomplishiiig  the  general  objects  set  forth  in  the  above  letter. 
1  will  read  the  following  schedule,  specifying  the  articles 
which  are  proposed  by  the  British  Minister  to  be  reciprocally 
admitted  duty  free : 

"Grain,  and  breadstuffs  of  all  kinds,  vegetables,  fruits,  birds, 
animals,  hides,  wool,  cheese,  tallow,  horns,  salted  and  fresh 
meats,  ores  of  all  kinds  of  metals,  plaster  of  paris,  in  stone  or 
ground,  ashes,  timber,  staves,  wood,  and  lumber  of  all  kipds, 
and  all  Rsh,  either  cured  or  fresh."  "•  • 

The  Bill  which  passed  this  house  in  1848,  as  before  stated, 
m  well  as  that  reported  by  Mr.  McLane  in  the  last  Congress, 
gave  the  schedule  of  free  articles  in  the  following  words: 

"Grain  and  breadstuffs  of  all  kinds,  vegitables,  fruits,  ani- 
mals, hides,  wool,  tallow,  horns,  salted  and  fresh  meats,  ores 
of  all  kinds  of  metals,  timber,  ste^ves,  wood  and  lumber  of  all 
kinds." 

I  do  not  presume  to  suggest,  in  what  language,  or  manner, 
nor  with  what  qualifications  and  conditions,  the  propositions 


♦ 


$ 


of  the  Provinces  should  be  met  and  aooepted.  But  I  believe 
the  opportunity  is  now  singularly  favorable,  to  achieve  a 
great  deal  for  the  fisheries,  for  the  commerce  of  New  Eng- 
land, and  the  States  upon  the  lakes,  and  for  the  general  in- 
dustry and  prosperity  of  the  whole  country.  Whether  this 
object  is  within  the  range  of  the  treaty-making  power,  or  is 
the  appropriate  business  of  the  national  Legislature,  I  will  not 
now  discuss.  I  believe,  however,  that  if  the  present  Secretary 
of  State  should  apply  to  the  subject  the  powers  of  his  wonder- 
ful mind,  and  grasping,  as  none  but  he  can  do,  the  whole  sub- 
juct  of  our  Northern  relations,  the  fisheries,  the  free  naviga- 
tion of  the  St.  Lawrence,  and  reciprocal  trade ;  should  enter 
into  a  treaty,  settling  and  defining  the  whole  matter,  in  a 
liberal  and  just  manner,  the  country  would  experience  relief, 
and  willingly  acquiesce  in  what  he  should  do ;  and  that  the 
whole  subject  would  be  settled  more  justly  and  prudently, 
than  it  could  be  by  any  other  means.  With  the  liberal  spirit 
manifested  by  the  Provinces  and  Greai  Britain,  I  cannot  doubt 
that  the  details,  as  well  as  the  general  principle,  of  an  ar- 
rangement can  be  satisfactorily  agreed  upon ;  should  the  ne- 
gotiators sit  down  in  earnest  to  the  business.  The  three 
great  objects  to  be  aimed  at  are,  the  extension  of  our  fisher- 
ies, increase  of  trade  with  the  Provinces,  and  the  free  naviga- 
tion of  their  rivers. 

It  is  evident  that  on  certain  terms,  and  if  those  proposed  are 
not  right,  then  without  doubt  on  others,  that  would  be  sattsfao- 
tory,  the  British  Government  are  ready  to  grant  a  privilege 
to  the  shore  fisheries,  with  the  right  of  landing  and  occupy- 
ing such  stations  on  shore  as  may  be  necessary  for  curing 
and  packing  fish,  and  pursuing  the  business  gradually,  in  a 
manner  most  likely  to  be  successful.  If  this  should  be  ac- 
quired for  our  fishermen,  I  have  reason  to  believe  that  some 
of  those  most  deeply  interested  would  regard  the  loss  of  the 
small  protection  they  now  enjoy  not  as  an  unreasonable  con- 
sideration. But  I  propose  not  the  details.  My  object  is  to 
call  attention  to  the  general  subject,  and  lay  before  Congress 
some  reasons  for  believing  the  opportunity  now  enjoyed^  for 
advantageous  negotiation  or  legislation,  extremely  favorable 
for  good  results,  and  deserving  the  earliest  and  most  carefUl 
attention  of  our  Government. 


.!» 


V  t;  .K<  Vi"vil  '^.M  v-;>"-n  or<' 


U     '! 


\'   T 


V]}i^  :: 


10 


'^ 


First  let  me  speak  of  tbe  fisheries.  I  know  the  importance 
of  this  interest,  living  in  one  of  the  oldest  fishing  districts  of 
the  country,  and  having  many  constituents  constantly  en- 
gaged in  the  business.  I  wrould  be  exceedingly  rejoiced  to 
see  their  privileges  enlarged,  and  their  laborious  industry 
more  adequately  rewarded ;  and  I  believe  that  a  more  favor- 
able moment  now  exists  for  the  accomplishment  of  this  ob- 
ject, than  has  ever  before  occurred.  Our  fishermen  need  less 
restriction  and  more  privileges,  and  now  is  the  time  to  secure 
these  to  them.  • 

The  recent  excitement  in  regard  to  supposed  trespasses  by 
the  British  upon  our  fishing  rights,  has  happened  at  an  unfor- 
tunate period ;  and  if  it  have  any  unfavorable  effect  upon  any 
pending  negotiations,  or  upon  any  action  of  Congress  neces- 
sary in  the  premises,  it  will  operate  more  disasterously  to  our- 
selves than  to  any  opposing  interests.  I  think  the  public 
mind  should  be  disabused  of  all  erroneous  impressions  in  re- 
gard to  the  purpose  of  other  nations  to  encroach  upon  us  ^ 
and  that,  for  our  own  welfare,  we  should  conduct  the  negotia- 
tions under  consideration  with  the  utmost  calmness  and  con- 
sideration. It  is  under  this  conviction,  and  without  any  in- 
tention of  justifying  any  wrongful  act  of  the  British  or  Colo- 
nial forces,  that  I  call  attention  to  a  few  important  facts, 
which  I  have  obtained  from  perfectly  reliable  sources. 

The  British  Government  have  sent  out  no  stronger  forces  to 
protect  their  fishing  privileges,  the  present  year,  than  heretofore. 
They  have  promulgated  no  new  construction  of  the  convention 
of  1818 ;  they  have  given  no  orders  for  the  seizing  of  vessels^ 
unless  they  were  trespassing  within  the"  three  miles,"  where  we 
admit  that  our  vessels  have  no  right  to  take  fish ;  and,  finally, 
no  more  seizures  have  been  made  the  present  year  than  have 
been  made  each  year  since  1835.  It  is  not  improbable  that  the 
orders  given  may  have  been  carried  out  by  some  over-zealous 
colonial  officers,  irritated,  perhaps,  by  a  sense  of  wrong 
on  our  part,  in  an  unjustifiable  manner.  But  that  the  British 
Government  have  intended  to  encroach  upon  American  rights, 
or  to  vindicate  their  own  by  extraordinrry  means,  or,  least  of 
all,  to  frighten  us  into  the  acceptance  of  terms,  which  we 
would  not  receive  unless  overawed  by  an  application  of  force, 
is  a  supposition  without  foundation,  and  to  be  forthwith  dis- 
carded.   I  think  it  an  act  of  justice  to  avow  the  facts  on  this 


t^ 


%f 


■« 


>y 


K? 


11 

subject,  because  it  is  right  that  the  truth  should  be  known, 
and  because  miapprehension  will  have  a  tendency  to  prevent 
that  mutually  beneficial  arrangement  in  respect  to  the  fish- 
eries and  commerce  with  the  Provinces,  which  is  now  happily 
within  reasonable  hope  of  accomplishment. 

The  treaty  of  1818,  so  far  as  relates  to  taking  fish,  reads  as 
follows: 

**  Whereas  differences  have  arisen  respecting  the  Uberty  claimed  by  the  United 
States  for  the  inhabitants  thereof  to  take,  dry,  and  cure  fish  on  certain  coasts,  bays, 
harbors,  and  creeks  of  His  Britannic  Majesty's  dominions  in  America,  it  is  agreed 
between  the  high  contracting  parties  that  the  inhabitants  of  the  said  United  States 
shall  have,  forever,  in  common  with  the  subjects  of  His  Britannic  Majesty,  the  lib- 
erty to  take  fish  of  every  kind  on  that  part  of  the  southern  coast  of  Newfoundland 
which  extends  from  Cape  Ray  to  the  Rameau  Islands,  on  the  western  and  northern 
coast  of  said  Newfounland,  from  the  said  Cape  Ray  to  the  Quirpon  Islands,  on  the 
shores  of  the  Magdalen  Islands;  and  also  on  the  coasts,  bays,  harbors,  and  creeks 
from  Mount  Joly,  on  the  southern  coouit  of  Labrador,  to  and  through  the  Straits  of 
Belle  Isle,  and  thence  northwardly  indefinitely  along  the  coast,  without  prejudice, 
however,  to  any  of  the  exclusive  rights  of  the  Hudson's  Bay  Company.  And  the 
United  Stala  hereby  renounce  forever  any  liberty  heretofore  enjoyed  or  claimed 
by  the  inhabitants  thereof  to  take,  dry,  or  cure  Jiah  on  or  within  three  marine 
miles  of  any  of  the  coasts,  bays,  creeks,  or  harbors  of  His  Britannic  Majesty's  do- 
minions in  America,  not  included  within  the  above  mentioned  limits  t  Provided, 
however.  That  the  American  fishermen  shall  be  admitted  to  enter  such  bays  or  har- 
bors for  the  purpose  of  shelter,  and  of  repairing  damages  therein,  of  purchanng 
wood,  and  of  obtaining  water,  and  for  no  other  purpose  whatever.  But  they  shall 
be  under  such  restrictions  as  may  be  necessary  to  prevent  their  taking,  drying,  or 
coring  fish  therein,  or  in  any  other  manner  whatever  abusing  the  privileges  hereby 
reserved  to  them." 

Th^t  portion  of  the  above  claim  which  I  shall  print  in  ital- 
ics, contains  the  source  of  the  whole  difficulty.  Our  Commis- 
sioners in  1818,  specially  renounced  the  shore  fishery,  three 
miles  in  width,  over  a  vast  extent  of  coast.  This  renunciation 
began  at  the  boundary  of  the  State  of  Maine,  continued  in 
and  around  the  Bay  of  Fundy,  (but  in  this  bay  we  now  have 
larger  privileges,)  along  the  coast  of  New  Brunswick,  all 
around  Nova  Scotia,  Cape  Breton,  Prince  Edward's  Island, 
the  remaining  coast  of  New  Brunswick,  and  so  along  to  Mt. 
Joly,  in  Labrador.  This  coast  where  we  lay  no  claim  to  take 
fish  within  three  miles  of  the  shore,  is  at  least  2,500  miles  in 
extent.  This  shore  fishery  which  we  hav»  renounced,  is 
of  great  value,  and  extremely  important  to  American  fisher- 
men. It  is  important  to  us  in  this  respect.  The  cod  fishery 
which  is  pursued  for  a  portion  of  every  year,  by  a  large  fleet 


If 

from  New  England,  is  carried  on  at  considerable  distances, 
sometimes  hundreds  of  miles  from  the  shore.  Large  qaanti- 
ties  are  taken ;  but  as  a  general  thing,  to  make  the  business  of 
fishing  profitable,  it  is  necessary  that  our  fishermen  6nish  out 
the  season,  by  employment  for  a  time  after  the  cod  fishery  has 
ended,  in  the  fall,  in  the  mackerel  fishery,  or  in  some  uncer- 
tain jobs  in  the  coasting  trade.  Without  something  of  this 
kind,  the  expenses  of  well  built  vessels  and  costly  outfits,  is  so 
poorly  remunerated,  as  to  make  fishing  a  losing  business. 
From  the  first  of  September  to  the  close  of  the  season,  the 
mackerel  run  near  the  shore,  and  it  is  next  to  impossible  for 
our  vessels  to  obtain  fares,  without  taking  fish  within  the  pro- 
hibited limits.  We  differ  with  England  in  regard  to  the 
measurement  of  these  **  limits  f  they  claiming  to  run  from 
''headland  to  headland,'^  and  we  to  follow  the  indentations  of 
the  coast.  But  the  real  difiiculty  is  not  here.  The  British 
have  never  taken  a  vessel  as  a  trespasser,  when  not  within 
the  limits  which  we  acknowledge  we  have  renounced.  They 
have  given  particular  directions  to  the  ofiicers  of  their  vessels 
not  to  do  so,  and  the  reason  is  plain.  They  know  that  if  they 
exact  a  strict  observance  of  our  renunciation,  on  our  own  con- 
struction, they  break  up  our  mackerel  fishery.  Hence  it  would 
be  folly  in  either  to  raise  an  issue  on  the  "headland"  dec- 
line on  which  most  people,  I  think,  would  hold  our  con- 
struction to  be  the  true  one.  I  do  not  think  it  generally  known 
that  the  whole  difficulty  about  the  fisheries  is  about  our  right 
to  take  mackerel.  The  cod  fishing  privileges  are  adequate 
already ;  and  no  vessel  in  that  business  has  ever  been  seized 
or  interfered  with.  I  think  it  is  proper  to  go  still  further  and 
to  state  frankly,  what,  after  a  patient  investigation  of  every 
source  of  authentic  information  within  my  reach,  I  believe  to 
be  the  real  difficulty.  i  sx. 

The  truth  is,  our  fishermen  need  absolutely,  and  must  have, 
the  thousands  of  miles  of  sjiore  fishery  which  have  been  re- 
nounced, or  they  must  always  do  an  uncertain  business.  If 
our  mackerel  men  are  prohibited  from  going  within  three 
miles  of  the  shore,  ftnd  are  forcibly  kept  away,  (and  nothing 
but  force  will  do  it,)  then  they  may  as  well  give  up  their 
business  first  as  last.  It  was  always  uncertain,  and  generally 
unsuccessful,  however  well  pursued.  v.-iAi -u  i\     .xv^tm. 

Perhaps  I  shall  be  thought  to  charge  the  commissioners  of 


t 


A 


i^ 


k 


.t 


1 1 


i;^ 


1818,  with  overloc^ing  our  interests.  They  did  so,  in  the  im- 
portant renunciation  which  I  have  quoted ;  but  tiiey  are  ob- 
noxious to  no  complaints  for  so  doing.  In  1818,  we  took  no 
mackerel  on  the  coasts  of  the  British  possessions,  and  there 
was  no  reason  to  anticipate  that  we  should  ever  have  occa- 
sion to  do  so.  Mackerel  were  then  found  as  abundantly  on 
the  coast  of  New  England,  as  any  where  in  the  world,  and 
it  was  not  till  years  after  that  this  beautiful  Ush,  in  a  great 
degree,  left  our  waters.  The  mackerel  fishery  on  the  Pro- 
vincial coasts  has  principally  grown  up  since  1838,  and  no 
vessel  was  ever  licensed  for  that  business  in  the  United 
States  till  1828.  The  commissioners  in  1818  had  no  other 
business  but  to  protect  the  cod  fishery,  and  this  they  did  in  a 
maner  generally  satisfactory  to  those  most  interested. 

I  have  thus  stated  the  real  difficulty  in  regard  to  the  fish- 
eries, because  it  needs  to  be  understood,  in  order  to  draw  forth 
an  expression  of  public  opinion  in  favor  of  availing  ourselves 
of  the  opportuny  presented  of  extending  our  privileges,  and 
obtaining  what  we  want.  No  method  is  now  offered,  nor  in 
my  belief  will  ever  occur,  whereby  we  can  satisfy  the  claims 
of  our  fishermen,  except  by  entering  into  commercial  arrange- 
ments with  the  Provinces,  on  some  national  basis  of  recipro- 
cal free  trade,  as  we  are  now  solicited  to  do.  They  cannot 
well  do  without  reciprocity,  (equally  beneficial,  though  not 
equally  indispensable  to  us,)  and  we  cannot  well  do  without 
better  fishing  privileges.  Both  may  be,  and  ought  to  be,  im- 
mediately adjusted.  The  amount  of  the  fishing  interests 
which  demands  th6  attention  of  Government,  is  as  follows : 

The  average  tonnage  in  the  mackerel  fishery,  for  five  years, 

preceding  1861,  was 51,503  tons. 

Average  number  of  men  employed 8,879 

Average  annual  product. 283,266  barrels. 

Average  aggregate  annual  value $1,657,963 

Average  tonnage  employed  in  the  cod  fishery  for  ten  years 

prior  to  1851  vras 79,251  tons. 

Tonnage  in  1851 95,616 

Average  number  of  men  employed 11,331 

Average  product 713,256  quintals. 

Average  annual  value $1,554,473 

I  wi'1  not  specify  the  claims  of  this  interest  to  the  fostering 
care  of  Government,  as  nurseries  of  American  seamen ;  that 
subject,  as  well  as  others,  having  been  ably  attended  to,  in 
the  excellent  speech  of  my  friend  from*  Massachusetts,  (Mr. 
ScuDDBR.)    The  amount  of  mon^y  invested,  and  the  number 


14 


of  men  employed,  vindicate  the  right  to  attention  from  the 
Government.  With  all  the  discussion  that  has  taken  place 
and  with  the  liberal  proposition  made  at  the  outset  by  the 
British  Minister,  our  fishermen  will  not  be  satisfied  without 
progress.  They  believe,  and  truly,  that  their  privileges  can 
be  extended.  They  want  the  shore  fisheries,  they  want  a 
right  to  erect  and  maintain  structures  on  shore  to  cure  cod 
fish,  as  soon  as  taken,  thus  saving  cost  and  making  better 
fish  for  market ;  and  believing  their  wishes  to  be  easy  of  ac- 
complishment, they  will  not  consent  to  the  endurance  of 
former  restrictions,  the  annoyances  and  troubles  of  which 
they  have  so  long  felt. 

Ih  this  connection,  I  must  refer  to  the  views  of  our  late 
brother  on  this  floor,  whose  sudden  death  has  so  recently  cast 
a  gloom  over  this  House.  Mr.  Rantoul  was  a  faithful  rep- 
resentative of  a  district  deeply  interested  in  the  fisheries. 
On  account  of  the  alleged  encroachments  of  the  British  upon 
our  rights,  he  undertook  an  examination  of  the  subject,  in 
connection  with  the  proposed  commercial  arrangements  be- 
tween the  Provinces  and  the  United  States,  and  devoted  to 
it  the  last  days  of  his  health  and  life.  In  common  with  all, 
I  deplore  his  loss  to  this  House  and  the  country ;  and  I  will 
add  that  I  particularly  regret  that  he  did  not  live  to  deliver 
the  speech  he  was  preparing  on  the  subjects  I  am  now  under- 
taking to  discuss.  I  have  the  more  confidence  in  the  views 
,  I  present,  because  I  know,  that  in  the  main,  they  were  sanc- 
tioned by  his  superior  judgment. 

But  I  come  to  the  remaining  topic  of  my  remarks,  which, 
if  it  had  not  been  by  the  circumstances  inseparably  connected 
with  the  fisheries,  I  might  have  discussed  alone,  as  being  of 
«qual  if  not  greater  importance.  The  proposition  for  the 
closest  commercial  relations  with  the  North  American  Pro- 
vinces of  Great  Britain,  embracing  the  fair  use  of  their  rivers 
and  canals,  is  a  subject  of  very  great  magnitude.  It  involves 
all  the  commercial,  political,  and  moral  benefits  arising  from 
intimate  relations  with  a  great  nation.  The  Provinces  now 
contain  a  population  of  more  than  two-third^  that  of  the 
United  States  at  the  time  of  the  Revolution.  Having  gene- 
rally a  good  soil,  an  invigorating  climate,  and  a  population 
with  habits  which  pfomise  great  good,  there  can  be  no  doubt 
that  there  is  a  future  of  prosperity  and  greatness  before  them, 


ri 


i) 


%) 


^' 


15 


^ 


♦? 


second  to  no  nation  on  the  Continent  except  the  United  States, 
They  border  upon  as,  on  a  line  of  many  thousand  miles  in 
extent,  and  thus  have  all  the  advantages  of  situation  to  bene* 
fit  us,  and  be  benefitted  by  us,  which  they  could  have  if  they 
were  integral  parts  of  the  Union.  We  now  treat  with  them 
in  their  weakness ;  we  shall  hereafter  know  them  in  their 
greatness.  They  come  to  us  in  a  liberal  spirit,  and  entertain- 
ing no  jealousy  of  the  more  rapid  advancement  of  our  coun- 
try, provided  they  can  follow,  even  at  an  humble  distance,  in 
the  path  of  progress  and  improvement,  they  make  explicit  and 
earnest  appeals  for  an  honorable  and  mutually  beneficial  re- 
ciprocity. Their  appeals  have  been  unheeded  for  a  long 
time,  and  it  is  both  becoming  and  necessary  that  we  should 
make  our  decision  at  an  early  period.  They  have  not  made 
any  proposition  of  the  measure  of  reciprocal  free  trade  which 
they  request  us  to  consider  as  their  ultimatum  ;  and,  of  course, 
I  do  not  undertake  to  define  any.  But  they  have  come  with 
liberal  propositions,  as  a  basis,  and  my  earnest  appeal  is  in 
favor  of  meeting  them  in  the  same  spirit.       ■''' 

Commerce  is  the  great  pioneer  of  human  progress  and  im- 
provement. Two  civilized  nations  cannot  have  trade  with 
one  another  without  mutual  advantage  to  both.  They  can' 
not  refrain  from  trade  and  intercourse,  especially  if  contermi- 
nous, without  disadvantage  to  both.  The  mutual  accumula- 
tion of  wealth,  and  means  of  improvement  and  happiness,  is 
the  natural  result  of  abundant  commerce.  A  fair  exchange 
of  such  products  as  each  can  provide  for  the  other,  with  less 
labor  than  that  other  can  provide  for  himself,  lessens  the 
amount  of  human  labor  necessary,  and  leaves  more  time  and 
means  for  improvement  and  happiness.  Men  invent  engines, 
steamboats,  railroads,  and  telegraphs,  for  the  purposes  of  com- 
merce, in  the  hope  of  gain.  They  are  used  to  enlighten  the 
dark  places  of  the  earth,  to  spread  information  and  religion 
throughout  the  world,  to  equalize  prices,  transport  commodi- 
ties, prevent  panics,  and  annihilate  the  evil  of  local  deaths 
and  famines.  We  live  in  a  wonderful  age  of  commercial 
activity  and  improvement.  We  are  continually  seeking  for 
new  fields  of  enterprise,  and  stretching  our  efibrts  to  the  end 
of  the  earth  to  find  new  customers  for  our  products  and  our 
wares.  Shall  we  overlook  the  best  customers  we  can  any- 
where find,  (because  they  are  our  neighbors,  and  the  cost  of 


II ! 

transportation  is  thereby  chiefly  saved,)  and  go  to  China  and 
Japan,  with  cannon  and  gun  powder,  to  open  by  force  of  arms 
the  distant  nations  who  repeal  all  our  advances  ?  No  man 
is  unaw^are  of  the  benefits  of  unrestricted  commerce  between 
the  States  of  this  Union.  It  has  contributed  more  than  any- 
thing else  to  our  growth  and  our  forces  as  a  nation ;  in  fact 
all  else  would  have  been  insufHcient  without  it.  It  is  the 
great  bond  of  our  Union  at  the  present  time,  and  does  more 
to  hold  us  together  than  ten  standing  armies.  It  is  our  invisi- 
ble, omnipresent,  and  all  but  omnipotent  resisting  force  against 
dissolution.  By  its  noiseless  power  it  vindicates  Republican 
institutions,  promotes  the  general  prosperity,  and  will  hold  us 
together,  when  physical  force  would  only  produce  anarchy  or 
tyranny.  Let  us  extend  this  bond  of  interest  with  proper 
limitations,  or  none  at  all,  as  may  be  thought  best,  to  the 
Provinces  of  Great  Britain  laying  upoii  our  borders.  It  may 
be  done  with  general  benefit  to  the  whole  country.  It  is  no 
scheme  which  may  not  be  safely  carried  ou*.  in  a  Southern  as 
well  as  a  Northern  direction.  Reciprocity  may  be  assumed 
as  the  basis  of  our  relations  with  all  adjoining  nations.  If 
adopted,  it  will  open  the  way  for  the  abolition  of  tonnage 
duty  on  Spanish  vessels  engaged  in  trade  between  Cuba  and 
Porto  Rico  and  the  United  States,  now  so  earnestly  sought 
by  a  portion  of  the  Soutb.  I  would  vo^e  for  such  abolition 
at  any  time.  We  can  adopt  reciprocity  for  this  Continent 
and  the  adjoining  islands  as  an  American  system,  desei'ving 
the  name  it  would  bear.  Annexation  and  "filibustering"  expe- 
ditions would  then  be  little  talked  of,  because  there  would  be 
no  commercial  restrictions,  whose  removal  makes  conquests 
and  closer  combinations  necessary  for  human  progress. 

But  let  me  confine  myself  to  some  specific  benefits  to  be 
derived  from  making  the  colonial  propositions  for  trade  in 
the  liberal  spirit  in  which  they  are  made.  The  proposition  > 
of  Sir  Henry  L.  Bulwer  particularly  mentions  the  free  navi- 
gation of  the  St.  Lawrence.  It  is  well  known  that  by  the 
Weliand  Canal,  which  connects  Lake  Erie  and  Lake  Ontario, 
the  Canadians  can  now  transport  all  their  shipping  at  plea- 
sure from  the  Lakes  to  the  river  St.  Lawrence,  and  thence 
into  the  Atlantic  ocean.  In  connexion  with  their  proposi- 
tions of  reciprocity,  and  settlement  of  the  fisheries,  they  now 
offer  to  our  western  commerce  this  great  privilege.    Let  us 


■^ 


i 


i 


^ 


17 


•) 


look  at  its  value.  The  river  St.  Lawrence  and  Lake  Ontario 
at  the  Northern  border  of  New  York ;  Western  New  York, 
Northern  Pennsylvania,  Ohio,  Indiana,  and  Michigan,  are  con- 
tiguous to  Lake  Erie ;  Michigan,  Wisconsin,  Minnesota,  and 
Illinois,  are  aOjacent  to  Lakes  Huron,  Michigan,  and  Superior. 
The  St.  Lawrence  is  the  natural  outlet  to  all  this  immense 
country,  and  with  the  exception  of  Lake  SupeVior,  (and  that 
will  not  be  an  exception  many  years  longer,)  large  as  well  as 
small  vessels,  may  lie,  and  of  tea  are  taken  from  all  these 
Lakes  through  the  Canadian  canals  and  the  St.  Lawrence  to 
the  ocean.  We  know  how  to  prize  the  free  navigation  of  the 
Mississippi,  and  we  shall  not  cease  to  extol  the  foresight  of  the 
statesman  who  was  mainly  instrumental  in  the  purchase  of 
Louisiana,  by  which  this  was  obtained.  The  St.  Lawrence, 
with  the  Lakes,  is  the  natural  outlet  of  an  extent  of  country 
nearly  equal  to  that  drained  by  the  Mississippi^  and  the  course 
of  that  river  is  more  favorably  directed  towards  good  markets, 
than  the  Mississippi.  It  is  not  far  from  the  line  of  a  great 
circle  on  the  earth's  surface,  from  the  lake  country  to  Eng- 
land, and  is,  therefore,  on  the  line  of  the  shortest  distance,  al- 
though such  does  not  appear  to  be  the  case,  on  the  common 
maps  of  Mercator's  projection,  h  is  on  the  line  of  the  great- 
est wheat  producing  region  in  the  world.  There  is  now  cal- 
culated to  be  Hot  less  than  $8,000,000  worth  of  shipping  upon 
our  Lakes,  owned  by  citizens  of  the  United  States.  Our  citi- 
zens have  often  felt  the  advantage  of  transporting  their  ves- 
sels, and  have  been  frequently  asking  the  Canadian  Gevern- 
ment  for  leave  to  do  so.  Permission  has  generally  been  re- 
fused, though  granted  in  some  instances.  Within  two  years 
one  of  our  vessels  laden  with  copper  ore,  bound  to  Swamsea, 
in  Wales,  and  another  with  emigrants  for  California,  were 
allowed  to  pass  out  of  the  Lakes  through  the  St.  Lawrence 
to  the  ocean.  Two  war  steamers  of  the  United  States  were 
not  long  ago  allowed  the  same  privilege.  For  five  months  of 
the  year  all  shipping  on  the  Lakes  lies  idle,  on  account  of  ice. 
It  is  estimated  that  one  fourth  part  of  it,  say  two  millions  of 
dollars  worth,  is  adapted  to  ocean  navigation,  and  might  be 
profitably  employed,  if  it  could  be  got  out,  in  foreign  commerce, 
or  in  the  coasting  trade  of  the  Atlantic  States,  at  timefe  so  un- 
necessarily expensive.  The  free  navigation  of  the  St.  Law- 
rence is  only  necessary  to  show  us  in  the  fall  of  every  year, 


18 

long  lines  of  vessels  seeking  the  Atlantic,  through  Can- 
ada, laden  with  western  produce,  and  in  the  spring,  making 
their  way  back  with  foreign  wares,  and  with  the  avails  of 
profitable  labor  for  nearly  half  a  year.  Let  no  one  imagine 
that  freights  of  breadstuflfs  may  not,  in  this  manner,  be  trans- 
ported by  our  own  vessels  to  foreign  markets.  Our  wheat 
competes  in  British  markets  with  wheat  from  the  Black  Sea; 
yet  Odessa,  the  chief  place  of  export  on  that  sea,  is  a  thou- 
sand miles  more  distant,  by  water  communication,  from  Liver- 
pool, than  is  Cleveland  in  our  State  of  Ohio.  The  St.  Law- 
rence is  important  to  the  great  west  now,  but  when  we  at- 
tempt to  calculate  what  the  west  is  destined  to  be,  in  wealth, 
population,  varied  interest,  and  varied  necessity,  we  can  ap- 
prehend something  of  the  importance  of  securing  its  great 
outlet  now  when  we  have  the  opportunity.  If  I  could  be 
permitted  to  make  one  suggestion  to  the  representatives  of 
the  watchful  of  her  interests,  and  faithfully  laboring  to  promote 
them,  it  would  be  to  take  care  that  the  present  golden  op- 
portunity of  securing  the  free  navigation  of  the  St.  Lawrence 
be  not  lost. 

I  have  heard  it  suggested,  that  we  might  accept  of  limited 
reciprocal  trade  with  the  Provinces  in  such  a  manner,  as  that 
the  commercial  transactions  between  them  and  us,  would  be 
injurious  to  our  manufactures.  If  I  believed  that  any  prac- 
ticable arrangement  with  our  neighbors,  would  involve  such 
a  result,  there  is  no  one  who  would  be  more  anxious  to  pre- 
vent it  than  myself.  But  I  believe  arrangements  that  prevent 
trade,  are  alone  injurious  to  the  parties ;  not  those  which  fa- 
cilitate it.  If  a  basis  is  agreed  upon,  which  shall  open  the 
way  for  the  people  of  the  Provinces  to  come  and  trade  with 
us,  I  have  no  fears  that  it  will  not  be  profitable  to  both  parties. 
To  keep  them  away,  by  tariffs  on  their  products,  so  that  they 
cannot  be  brought  here,  to  pay  for  our  fabrics,  will  thereby  in- 
jure our  manufacturers,  who  desire  to  sell  to  them  their  goods. 

It  is  now  universally  admitted,  by  sound  economists  and 
statesmen,  says  an  able  writer  in  the  North  American  Review, 
"  that  no  commercial  arrangement  can  be  permanently  advan- 
tageous to  one  party  without  being  so  to  both ;  that  the  basis 
of  virtual,  when  not  of  literal  reciprocity,  is  the  only  solid 
ground  of  international  relations,  and  that  the  increased  pros- 
perity of  one  of  the  family  of  nations,  only  offers  an  enlarged 


1 


♦'; 


19 

market  for  the  industry,  and  an  expanded  field  for  the  com- 
merce of  every  other.  The  recognition  of  these  principles  is 
fast  girdling  the  earth  with  a  zone  of  comn^on  interest,  mutu- 
al good  will,  and  reciprocal  helpfulness."  / 

The  author  of  these  sentiments  is  not  an  advocate  of  gene- 
ral free  trade,  without  regard  to  circumstances.  On  the  con- 
trary, he  believes  a  tariff  to  be  indispensable  to  develope 
American  manufactures,  in  competition  with  the  productions 
of  Europe,  where  labor  is  cheaper,  and  money  is  cheaper  than 
we  ever  hope  they  will  be  here.  It  is  with  similar  sentiments 
that  I  have  quoted  his  remarks  just  given. 

Let  us  now  look  to  the  extent  of  country  and  the  estimated 
population,  with  whom  we  are  now  seeking  better  commer- 
cial arrangements.  The  Provinces  are  five  in  number,  with 
distinct,  independent  governments,  of  the  following  popula- 
tion and  extent :  H!      ;i: 

Population.  Area — acres. 

Canada  (East  and  West)  contains  a  population  of. 1.500,000  163,500,000 

New  Brunswick 200,000  19,000,000 

Nova  Scotia  (including  Cape  Breton) 280.000  11,500.000 

Newfoundland : 102,000  23,000,000 

Prince  Edward's  Island 63,000  1,360,000 

Total 2.155.000        218,360,000 

The  tables  of  commerce  and  navigation,  published  annually 
by  Congress,  show  that  the  commerce  Latween  the  United 
States  and  these  colonies  is  by  no  means'  of  the  same  char- 
acter with  all.  The  principal  exports  from  Canada  to  the 
United  States,  are  lumber,  grain,  flour,  ashes,  and  wool,  and 
amount  to  about  seven  million  of  dollars.  The  principal 
articles  exported  from  New  Brunswick,  are  lumber,  coal,  gyp- 
sum, and  fish,  fish  oil  and  grind-stones ;  from  Nova  Scotia, 
sawed  lumber,  fish,  gypsum,  grind-stones,  lime,  coal,  potatoes, 
and  cord-wood.  Prince  Edward's  is  a  small  colony,  chiefly 
engaged  in  the  fisheries,  and  agricultural  employments,  and 
building  annually  a  large  number  of  small  vessels  for  sale. 
The  exports  of  Newfoundland  consist  of  dry  and  pickled  fish, 
fish  oil,  seal  skins,  seal  oil,  &c.,  and  amounted  in  1845,  to 
$3,519,000.  The  out- fit  for  the  seal-fishery  in  1847,  consisted 
of  321  vessels,  with  a  tonnage  of  29,800  tons,  and  employing 
9,750  men.  A  large  number  of  vessels  for  sale,  are  annually 
built  in  each  of  the  Provinces,  which  business  gives  employ- 
ment to  a  large  number  c f  people. 


so. 


It  will  be  seen  from  the  above,  that  no  one  of  tlie  colonies, 
except  Canada,  exports  grain  or  flour.  This  fact  shoulcj 
be  noticed,  because  of  the  suggestion  sometimes  made  that 
the  admission  of  flour  and  grain,  duty  free,  would  intro- 
duce competition  injurious  to  Western  farmers.  The  other 
colonies  are  large  consumers  of  foreign  breadstuff's,  and  have 
received  their  supplies  for  some  years  past  from  the  United 
States,  notwithstanding  there  is  imposed  a  duty  of  from  25  to 
75  cents  per  barrel  on  our  flour.  Nova  Scotia  and  New 
Brunswick  have  been  among  our  best  customers  for  flour,  and 
have,  also,  with  the  other  eastern  Provinces,  bought  their  chief 
supplies  of  all  foreign  articles  in  our  markets.  To  show  what 
amount  of  trade  with  her  own  colonies,  we  have  been  gradu- 
ally taking  from  England,  I  will  state  that  the  whole  amount 
of  exports  from  the  United  States  to  all  the  Provinces,  twenty 
years  ago,  was  a  little  over  03,000,000.  It  is  now  consider- 
ably over  four  times  that  sum.  The  total  exports  from  Great 
Britain  to  the  colonies  in  1840,  was  about  $15,400,000;  in 
1849,  it  was  not  much  above  $11,000,000,  showing  a  com- 
parative loss  of  30  per  cent,  in  nine  years,  /   i  ^:  ;,  ■ 

I  know  the  discouragements  which  manufacturers  have  had 
to  encounter ;  the  actual  loss  which  they  have  experienced,  of 
more  than  half  their  limited  capital ;  the  long  years  of  depres- 
sions, during  which  they  have  been  without  dividends  or  other 
returns.  I  know,  too,  that  when  they  have  made  profits,  it 
has  been  by  rising  early,  sitting  up  late,  and  eating  the  bread 
of  carefulness.  Since  I  have  been  in  Congress,  it  has  been 
one  of  my  chief  anxieties  to  be  serviceable  in  procuring  a  na- 
tional modification  of  the  tariff",  by  which,  at  least,  the  evils 
of  ad  valorem  duties  might  be  removed.  But  we  have  had  so 
much  of  politics  always  uppermost,  so  many  topics  of  excite- 
ment ever  on  hand,  so  much  jealousy  of  the  effect  of  a  change 
in  the  tariff*,  upon  the  prospect  of  parties,  and  individual  aspi- 
rations for  the  Presidency,  that  though  I  have  seen  a  Whig 
majority  as  well  as  a  Democratic  majority  here,  and  though 
the  general  conviction  of  fair  men  of  all  parties  has  sanctioned 
a  modification,  nothing  has  been  done,  and  I  expect  nothing 
to  be  done  during  this  Congress.  The  question  of  the  tariff' 
has  become  hopelessly  involved  with  party,  and  I  advise 
manufacturers  hereafter  to  expect  no  protection  from  Govern- 
ment, and  never  to  invest  a  dollar  on  the  presumption  that 


♦ 


.n 


x*^ 


21 

Congress  will  do  any  thing  to  render  it  profitable.  It  must  be 
acknowledged,  too,  that  we  have  needed  customers  as  well  as 
protection.  The  market  has  been  overstocked.  We  must 
now  try  to  hunt  up  other  markets.  Protection  under  our 
Government  may  last  long  enough  to  put  a  vast  amount  of 
capital  at  hazard,  but  is  sure  to  be  abrogated  before  it  can  be 
safely  dispensed  with.  "  A  fluctuating  tariff  is  more  to  be 
dreaded  than  one  which  defies  every  law  of  political  economy." 
The  energy  of  our  people  can  surmount  any  obstacles  that 
can  be  calculated  and  provided  against,  but  will  be  broken 
when  their  industry  is  made  the  dice  by  which  political  tac- 
ticians seek  to  rob  each  other  of  power. 

The  subject  of  reciprocity  is  not  a  party  question ;  it  is  not 
a  Canadian  question ;  it  is  an  American  question.    It  has  re* 
ceived  the  sanction,  though  not  the  efRcient  attention  of  the 
most  prominent  men  of  both  the  great  parties  of  the  country ; 
and  I  believe  it  not  only  will  not  injure  the  manufacturers, 
but  is  of  great  consequence  to  their  future  prosperity.    It  will 
provide  new  markets  for  their  fabrics,  of  a  value  and  extent 
of  which  few  now  have  any  conception.    By  opening  the  way 
for  our  neighbors  to  bring  to  our  markets  what  they  have,  and 
we  want,  we  shall  be  able  to  sell  them  what  we  have,  and 
they  want.    It  is  much  rtiore  for  the  interest  and  convenience 
of  the  people  of  the  Provinces  to  trade  with  us  than  with  any 
other  country,  and  nothing  can  prevent  their  doing  this,  ex- 
cept a  narrow-minded,  short-sighted  policy  of  restriction,  un- 
worthy of  us  in  our  dealings  with  a  neighboring  nation,  where 
the  price  of  labor  is  as  high  as  it  is  here,  and  whose  situation 
renders  our  trade  with  them  as  natural  as  it  is  between  the 
States.    They  are  yearly  opening  new  communications  to  our 
seacoast  and  large  cities,  and  are  yearly  visiting  us  in  quad- 
rupled numbers.     They  have  no  manufactures,  and  they  want, 
provided  we  let  them  bring  their  produce  to  our  markets,  our 
cotton,  iron,  and  other  manufactures.    They  have  the  same 
wants  which  our  manufactures  were  established  to  supply ; 
they  have  the  same  tastes,  fashions,  and  customs.    As  they  ad- 
mit our  manufactures  on  the  same  terms  as  those  of  Great 
Britain,  we  can  manufacture  for  them  every  thing  which  we 
can  profitably  manufacture  for  ourselves.    The  proposition 
before  us  is  that  of  adding  more  than  two  millions  of  people, 
soon  to  become  double  that  number,  to  the  consumers  of  cur 


22 

fabrics.  They  are  at  our  doors,  asking  the  privilege  to  bene- 
fit thi-mNelves  by  benefitting  us.  Let  us  attend  to  so  import- 
ant a  mHtter  without  delay.  Let  gentlemen  judgn  of  the 
magnitude  of  the  trad"  under  consideration,  and  of  its  rapid 
increase  the  abolition  of  dillerential  duties  in  1843,  by  the 
fact  that  in  1840,  our  whole  export  of  manufactured  articles 
to  Ciinuda  amounted  to  only  $100,000.  In  1845  it  reached 
the  amount  of  $1,700,000.  In  the  last  fii^cal  year  the  total 
amount  of  manufactured  articles  exported  to  all  foreign  coun- 
tries WHS  less  than  $20,000,000,  while  the  amount  sent  to  the 
British  Provinces  was  over  $5,500,000.  One-fourlh  part  of 
our  exported  domestic  cotton  manufactures,  and  nearly  one- 
fuurth  part  of  our  iron,  and  manufactures  of  iron,  Hnd  their 
consumrrs  in  the  British  Provinces.  I  believe  the  country  is 
not  aware  of  the  value  of  these  markets  to  us.  If  the  people 
were  awake  to  the  matter,  I  should  have  no  fears  that  the  lu- 
crative trade  we  now  enjoy,  and  that  which  we  may  easily 
obtain,  will  be  turned  needlessly  away  to  find  other  channels 
and  other  markets.  • 

Again,  the  advantage  of  bringing  the  Provincial  trade  to 
our  markets,  by  making  it  for  their  profit  to  buy  and  sell, 
like  our  own  citizens,  in  our  large  cities,  is  seen  in  the  im- 
portant benefit  which  it  would  be  certain  to  confer  upon  our 
railroads,  steamboats,  and  canals.  How  important  a  matter 
it  would  be  to  monopolise  the  carrying  trade  of  two  millions 
of  people  is  readily  seen.  The  profit  arising  from  the  em- 
ployment of  men  and  capital,  and  the  impulse  it  would  give 
to  all  other  interests  in  a  country,  should  not  be  overlooked 
by  any.  But  inasmuch  as  the  most  populous  portion  of  the 
Provinces  are  separated  from  our  maritime  cities,  where  they 
desire  and  propose  to  transact  most  of  their  business,  by  a 
wide  strip  of  our  own  country,  we  must  transport  their  ex- 
ports and  imports,  mainly,  over  our  railroads,  on  our  steam- 
boats, and  through  our  canals.  The  travel  and  the  trade 
would  be  immense,  and  I  could  readily  mention  several  rail- 
roads in  my  own  State,  as  well  as  elsewhere,  to  which  the 
enactment  of  this  measure  is  of  very  great  importance. 

I  have  already  alluded  to  the  objection  that  the  admission 
of  Canadian  wheat,  would  open  an  injurious  competition 
with  the  wheat  ground  of  the  West.  This  country  annually 
r^peives  a  foreign  emigration  of  300,000  people,  a  larger 


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portion  of  whom  immediately  become  producers  of  wheat, 
than  Hi  0  NufHcient  to  raise  all  the  supplies  that  the  British 
Provinces  ever  export.  Yet  our  farmers  are  not  sensibly 
injured.  Competition  fairly  exercised  only  developes  the  en- 
ergies of  the  people.  But  those  who  raise  this  objection  do 
not  pl')inly  considor  the  whole  case.  The  growth  of  our 
cities,  the  inceased  business  of  the  population  engaged  on 
our  internal  channels  of  communication,  would  divert  a  por- 
tion of  the  people  from  the  business  of  production,  and  would 
increase  consumption,  more  than  enough,  it  is  believed,  to 
counterbalance  this  increase  in  quantity  of  flour.  It  must  be 
remembered  too  that  we  have  latterly  exported  nearly  as 
much  fluur  and  other  bread-stuflT  to  the  eastern  Provinces, 
as  had  been  imported  from  Canada. 

In  the  year  1850  the  amount  of  imports  of  flour  and  wheat 
from  Canada  into  the  United  States  is  reckoned  at  a  little 
more  than  82,000,000.  During  the  same  year  we  exported 
bread-stuff  to  the  lower  Provinces  valued  at  over  $180,000. 
Thus  it  appears  that  the  whole  surplus  of  the  British  Pro- 
vinces might  be  absorbed  in  our  commerce  without  lessening 
the  prices  of  our  products  at  all.  Take  off  the  duty  on 
their  natural  products,  and  a  stimulus  will  soon  be  given 
to  their  business,  which  will  increase  their  population,  and 
make  them  much  larger  consumers  of  our  (articles  than  they 
now  are,  as  well  as  greatly  promote  the  prosperity  of  both 
countries. 

There  is  one  other  article  of  Western  commerce  that  would 
be  enhanced  in  value  by  opening  the  Canada  markets,  and 
that  is  pork.  A  multitude  of  men  are  engaged  in  the  lum- 
ber business  of  Canaia  whose  most  important  article  of  food 
is  pork.  This  staple  product  of  the  West,  where  corn  is 
raised  so  easily,  and  in  such  abundance,  can  nowhere  else  be 
afforded  so  cheap,  and  therefore  our  Western  farmers  w^ill  as- 
suredly provide  supplies  for  the  lumber  men.  Great  advantage 
will  also  accrue  from  an  increased  supply  of  all  kinds  of 
lumber  at  somewhat  lower  prices  than  is  now  paid.  Lumber 
is  a  necessity  of  life  in  every  civilized  society.  Measures 
should  be  as  readily  taken  to  facilitate  its  acquisition  as  that 
of  bread-stufis  and  clothing.  It  is  well  known  that  the  supply 
is  rapidly  decreasing  in  New  England,  and  any  scheme  that 
shall  be  adopted   to   give  us  free  access  to  the  boundless 


24 


pineries  of  Canada  and  New  Brunswick,  will  greatly  promote 
the  general  good,  '•'•-k;  ■■v"^    "-  "    -'  =i'- u»'».-.;ii:'.'  • -t';  .:«!,; 

This  measure  of  reciprocal  trade,  connected  with  the  pro- 
tection and  extension  of  our  fishing  privileges  and  the  free 
navigation  of  the  St.  Lawrence,  has  received  the  favorable 
consideration  of  many  of  our  distinguished  statesmen,  and  all 
whom  I  have  known  ever  to  have  considered  the  subject.  I 
believe  it  to  be  in  accordance  with  the  general  sentiments 
of  the  American  people,  and  I  hope  it  will  no  longer  be  ne- 
glected. •'-   ' 

A  few  words  more  and  I  will  close.  The  history  of  the 
world  shows  that  those  nations  which  first  arrived  to  a  high 
stage  of  Improvement,  and  from  which  has  proceeded  the 
civilization  that  now  covers  so  large  a  portion  of  the  globe, 
have  all  inhabited  coasts  and  tracts  of  country  indented  by 
bays,  gulfs,  friths,  and  other  bodies  of  water,  favoring  exten- 
sive commercial  intercourse.  The  situation  of  Arabia,  Pales- 
tine, Greece  and  Italy,  and  the  history  of  their  influence  in 
colonizing,  civilizing,  and  christianizing  the  world,  are  illus- 
trations of  the  truth  of  my  remark  in  ancient  history ;  while 
the  situation  of  England,  France,  Germanj',  and  the  nations 
about  the  Baltic,  illustrate  its  truth  in  modern  times.  On  the 
other  hand,  the  condition  of  the  people  of  Asia  and  Africa, 
proves  how  slow  is  the  march  of  improvement  in  countries 
not  favored  by  natural  channels  of  internal  communication. 
Our  own  continent  was  wonderfully  provided  by  the  Creator 
with  every  means  of  greatness.  There  is  no  element  in  the 
heavens  above,  nor  in  the  earth  beneath,  nor  in  the  waters 
of  the  earth,  necessary  for  man's  prosperity,  which  he 
does  not  find  here  in  abundance.  Every  needed  necessity  in 
the  animal,  vegetable,  and  mineral  kingdom  is  here,  ready 
for  the  subjecting  hand  of  man ;  while  an  exuburant  fruitful- 
ness  of  soil,  and  a  wonderful  healthfulness  of  climate,  indicate 
the  great  multitude  of  people  whom  God  has  destined  to  in- 
habit this  land.  His  finger  has  traced  the  channels  of  our 
rivers,  located  our  broad  and  mighty  lakes,  and  opened  navi- 
gation half  way  across  the  continent.  Let  us  not  fail  of  doing 
every  thing  on  our  part  to  keep  forever  open  and  free,  these 
gre?^.  natural  channels  of  commerce,  fellowship,  and  good 
will. 


